Cooker
The Alfa Laval Cooker streamlines batch processing of mixed-component food products containing fresh fruit and vegetables. This versatile industrial cooker handles pre-heating, dosing, mixing, heating, deaeration, Brix standardization, and concentration–in one efficient production line. The result? Superior product quality. Available in two models, this industrial cooker with mixer integrates seamlessly with energy-saving Alfa Laval equipment, upstream and downstream.
Solutions for recipe-controlled ingredient dosing and mixed-component food preparation
- Higher product quality: Preserve the colour, flavour, texture, aroma and nutrients of fresh fruit and vegetables, whether whole or in pieces
- Accelerate batch preparation: Increase productivity and yield by reducing loading and heating times by up to 40% compared to previous models*
- Versatile dosing and mixing: Produce high-quality mixed-component products while ensuring food safety and reducing costs and waste
- Flexible recipe adjustment: Easily adapt recipes to accommodate changing consumer preferences, seasonal ingredients, and new product development
- Upscaling and modularity: Easily install and scale by adding units in parallel or series or moving them where needed
Prepare fresher, healthier, and more flavourful food products with the Alfa Laval Cooker. Its precision dosing, homogeneous mixing, gentle heating, and efficient deaeration preserve particle integrity while preventing thermal shock and product loss and enhancing product quality and safety.
As a standalone module or integrated into a larger processing line, this industrial cooker has two models, the Cooker MV and LV, ideal for:
- Baby food
- Fruit compote and purées
- Fruit-based bakery fillings
- Soups, sauces
- Yoghurt jams
- Jams, marmalades
Rely on a one-stop shop with single provider for your industrial cooker and mixer plus upstream and downstream equipment. Backed by a 20-year lifespan and 10-year warranty, the Alfa Laval Cooker is a solid investment with low total cost of ownership.
Complete processing lines
One-stop solution for your industrial cooker needs
Alfa Laval provides everything you need, both upstream and downstream, for seamless operation of your industrial cooker. From dosing, mixing, heating, and deaeration to optional Brix standardization and concentration equipment, we’ve got you covered.
Upstream, rely on Alfa Laval for equipment to empty IBCs and drums, lift and tilt containers, and dissolve powders for dosing. Downstream, we offer buffer tanks, heat exchangers, and both aseptic and non-aseptic fillers to ensure smooth, continuous production all the way through to product discharge and packaging.
Food processing solutions that maximize yields, minimize waste and reduce costs
- Reduced waste and product losses using state-of-the-art controls and software
- Recipe flexibility with use of various raw materials
- Energy-efficient when used with Alfa Laval pumps, valves, heat exchangers
- Minimal product losses and maximum yield
- Robust, reliable, long-lasting solution
How does the Alfa Laval Cooker work
The Alfa Laval Cooker efficiently manages every stage of dosing, mixing and preparation of mixed-component foods containing fresh fruits and vegetables.
Preserve product quality by minimizing or eliminating product oxidation
Dosing
Reliable, accurate dosing and preparation of main ingredients (powders, liquids, solids, semi-finished products) and micro-ingredients (vitamins, minerals, thickeners, etc.). |
Mixing
The innovative double helix coil, equipped with paddles, ensures thorough ingredients mixing. Efficient but gentle mixing preserves particle shape and structure. |
Preheating
The double heating coil with hollow rotor secures fast processing time. Using hot water instead of steam as the heating media prevents thermal shock and product overtreatment. |
Deaeration
Processing under vacuum conditions reduces oxidation and improves sugar penetration and product quality. An aroma recovery condenser can re-introduce the condensed aromas to the product. |
Optional Brix standardization
If required, the Brix level can be standardized to meet specific requirements. This process is precisely managed using a digital refractometer. |
Optional concentration
Effectively managing the air content during deaeration can achieve precise product concentration at the desired level, enhancing product quality and consistency. |
The Alfa Laval Cooker LV series
For purées with particles for processing under vacuum conditions, the LV series handles capacities between 2,000 and 3,000 litres. Its flexible design provides gentle mixing and heating of mixed-food components. Suitable for particles up to 15 mm and concentrations up to 30%, it delivers high-quality results for baby food, soups, and sauces.
The Alfa Laval Cooker MV series
For jams, marmalade and bakery fillings, the MV series handles capacities of 3,000 litres or more. Its efficient design improves evaporation performance and easily handles frozen or semi-frozen products. An optional trolley lift and tilter ensure operational reliability. It supports processing of larger particles up to 25 mm in size, and higher concentrations, up to 50%, ensuring versatility and high-quality results.
Service
Food system services
Alfa Laval Food system services help extend the performance of your food systems by maximizing the performance of your processes. This enables you to:
- Continually improve your operations to maintain competitive advantage
- Focus on uptime, optimization and availability
- Maximize return on investment throughout the life cycle of your food systems